It’s all systems go for souped up action fare
AN INTERESTING three-way tussle is set up for this weekend’s headlining Sasol Global Touring Car race with just six points separating the top challengers after three rounds of the series so far.
It is thus expected to be an actionpacked fourth round of the annual South African Extreme Festival National Circuit Racing Championship at the iconic East London Grand Prix track tomorrow, with some thrilling racing expected to separate the best from the rest.
At the top of the GTC standings Simon Moss enjoys the lead on 121 points, just three points ahead of Gennaro Bonefede, while Moss’ teammate Michael Stephen rounds out the top three on 115 points.
Despite having a bit of a lead over the rest of the chasing pack, it has been an exciting first three rounds, with four different winners in the six races.
Moss claimed race wins in the opening round at Kayalami along with Bonafede, and in the second round at Killarney, while Stephen managed to pick up his opening win of the season in the first race of round three at Zwartkops.
The other race winner has been Daniel Rowe, who despite sitting in fifth place is showing plenty of pace picking up wins at Killarney and Zwartkops.
It is thus anyone’s race as the drivers attempt to tame the fastest track in the country, while also learning to utilise the newly introduced push to pass system which will be on show for the first time this weekend.
The other drivers in action, who will all be champing at the bit to get their first win of the season are Michael van Rooyen, fourth on the points table, ex-East Londoner Robert Wolk, Johan Fourie and Mathew Hodges, who occupy the sixth, seventh and eighth spots respectively.
Although this will be the main category to watch, four other extremely exciting national races will also be battled out in the Engen Volkswagen Polo Cup, Investchem Formula 1600, V8 Supercars and the Red Square Kawasaki ZX10 Masters Cup, which should all entertain.
Two regional races, the Car Care Clinic111 Sports and Saloons Club Championship and the BMSC Modified Saloons will then round out the day’s action.
Pre-sold tickets for the festival can be bought for R70 from Ian’s Auto, Vincent Hardware, Best Drive Cambridge Street and Midas in Bowls Road, while on the day adults will pay R80 to get in, children R20 and kids U6 will be allowed in for free.
With the emphasis on it being a family day, there will be something for everyone with foodstalls, flea market, big screen, kiddies entertainment and the Coca-Cola Gig Rig.
Tomorrow will see the gates open at 7am, with qualifying taking place from around 7.30am and the main racing start just after 10am.